Recommendation for paediatric endocrinologist

[Flore12]

Hi, can anyone recommend a good centre or paediatrician in London to discuss growth issues for my daughter (almost 12) who seems to be starting with her period despite being very behind with her growth. Thank you!

A lot of people like the University College, London. We went to the Royal Free and they were horrible so don’t go to the endocrinologist there. The nurses were great, but the actual doctor was a disaster.

We didn’t have any of the doctors because we were by the Royal tree and then we moved out of the city. But these are some doctors at the University College, London apparently it’s the biggest endocrinology clinic within Europe.

www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/find-service/medical-specialties-1/endocrinology

Dr Assunta Albanese is brilliant and very lovely - i saw her for my daughter's growth issues. We saw her in Wimbledon at a private clinic.

When you say behind with her growth, do you mean her height? And if so, have you checked her height in her red book?

I'm only asking because 15 yo DS was recently referred to a PE at St George's by our GP because I was concerned about his voice not breaking as well as his height and the PE was very reassuring about his growth.

11 is still quite young for a girl to be having a growth spurt so if that is all you are worried about then it's probably within the realms of normal.

Having said that, I can understand that once you have something on your radar it's hard to let it go so maybe it's worth starting with your GP?

Thank you all. Yes I am concerned that she is only 1.38cm tall. She is on the 9th percentile (she was on the 25th percentile till age 8). Now almost 12 she is showing some signs that her period might be imminent despite no breast development and more worryingly no signs of growth spurt. I am 1.60cm and father is 1.78cm.

Our daughter had celiac undiagnosed and so she wasn’t growing. It affected her growth and she has stayed short, unfortunately.

Starting periods is not linked to height, I don't think you've anything to be worried about from what you've said. She is 12

Oh really? I thought that with the period the growth would slow down a lot.

No. Don't forget these days girls as young as 8 or 9 are starting their periods but they aren't going to stay the height of an 8 year old forever!

No, periods can be delayed if a child is very underweight. What signs is she showing though?

@Flore12

I was thinking that Great Ormond Street would be a useful port of call for you; for an NHS referral, though, it looks as though the referral needs to come from your local consultant paediatrician.

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/wards-and-departments/departments/clinical-specialties/endocrinology-information/information-for-professionals/refer-patient-endocrinology-department/

https://www.gosh.com.kw/enquiry-form

Have you seen any medics at all about these concerns? What did they say? "has puberty started?" is a question that can be answered by a normal paediatrician (bloods can be helpful if uncertainty) - she is on the late side but not to an extent that people would worry automatically. Breast bud development is usually first.